Camelot: Broadway Version

First of all, some reviewers seemed to have been gravely disappointed as they were perhaps expecting the 1967 film with Richard Harris and Vanessa Redgrave in lieu of this 1981 revival, and I would have found myself to be equally disappointed if my expectations had been so. As it is this is as close to a video transfer of notable stage production of this musical play as I have seen, and I have knocked off a star in my rating due to the quality of the transfer. Still, I will not complain; every thanksgiving the 1967 film version came on television, so being unfamiliar with the Richard Burton/ Julie Andrews version, my first King Arthur has been and always will be Richard Harris.Unfortunately, in this particular version Richard Harris's performance fluctuates somewhat with a very strong and heartfelt brooding that lends unintended depths to lilting numbers such as "What Do The Simple Folk Do?" only to either try too hard to humor or distance himself from certain moments in the play. His relationship with Guenevere never does spark and so much is lost in translation in the process. The film version with actors closer in age managed to convey the frustrations of a love lost and forgiven with so much more pathos. However, Harris's performance during the last half just makes me wonder one thing: what if someone had dared to take this delivery, excise some of the giddy numbers and deliver a non-musical drama with Harris as Arthur? Something a bit closer to T.H. White's book, upon which this musical was based. Hmmm...Despite all of this, I am so glad someone decided to preserve this on tape, no matter what the quality and wished someone had the bright idea to have done the same with 1961 production with Burton and his own revival later on. I can never get too much of this musical and I found myself truly captivated with scenes that were absent form the 1967 film version ie., Merlin & Nimue, and Mordred's performance of the "Seven Deadly Virtues" by Richard Muenz.Another reviewer said that this performance should be heard and not seen, and I think this helped. Many times I turned my eyes away from the images and listened to the music and dialogue and was quite taken away by it all.The other actors were quite capable. Guenevere, James Valentine, is closer to a Julie Andrews take on the songs and perhaps the most talented vocal talent in the cast. Lancelot was good, but the tempo of "If I Ever I Should Leave You" was slowed down a wee bit much to my taste.All in all, I'm glad they preserved this Richard Harris performance as King Arthur (was this his last?) and I wish they had preserved the Burton version too! I can never get too much Camelot! For lovers of this musical, you still cannot go wrong to enjoy this performance for what it is and while it is on prime (please keep it here and bring the 1967 film version here too while you are at it, please!)

I was lucky to see this production of Camelot when it aired on HBO, and I was enchanted by it. I was so happy to find it out on DVD. Richard Harris is wonderful as King Arthur. He plays Arthur as a true innocent who, as he goes along on this journey, learns the harsh lessons about life and love, yet still manages to give us a glimpse of hope at things to come. By the end of the play, as tears roll down his cheeks and he proclaims "For One Brief Shining Moment!" I found myself with tears in my eyes and glad to have been along for his journey. Meg Bussert as Queen Guenevere is simply marvelous. (If you close your eyes, it's amazing how close she sounds like Julie Andrews). Richard Meunz as Lancelot is also very good. He does well playing Lancelot as a sort of fop we all love to hate who eventually shows us that he's more than he seems. The three main leas do their parts justice. Be warned though, if you've never seen Camelot before, this is not a "light" musical by any means. Though it visually looks like something Disney would produce, (and the sets are a joy to look at), this is very much an adult musical. It's amazing how this play starts off very light in tone, only to become very serious and touching. Most people know the story and of the ill-fated love triangle between the three main characters. Lerner & Loewe should be given a lot of credit for crafting a lavish tale such as this that deals with such grim subject matter yet handles it beautifully. There are no simple solutions and many of the characters have to live with the choices they've made. There's no tidy "happy ending" if you will. You get a wonderful musical with lavish sets and costumes, some great tunes that will stick with you, but you will also experience various emotions along the way. The actors are wonderful to watch. The camera angles and close ups reveal their facial expressions. Though the song "What Do the Simple Folk Do?" is very light and comic, it's the undertones and the body langue of Harris and Bussert that reveal the character's true feelings. Arthur is starting to realize that his marriage is coming apart and is helpless to prevent it. Another review has stated how Richard Harris doesn't really sing in this musical. You have to appreciate Lerner & Loewe. This is not a big, splashy musical with showstopping tunes. Many of the songs are simply sung dialogue. Check out some of the songs from their other musical "My Fair Lady." Rex Harrison did much the same thing with many of the songs in that show as well. I only have a few complaints about this DVD. One, I would love to have had it in Blu-ray. And Second, I would have loved to have had some special features. Be sure to read the small enclosed booklet by Meg Bussert, but that simply left me wanting more. Other than that, this is a great musical that was filmed with a lot of love and care. It's truly a classic that hopefully you will enjoy as much as I have.

Many people were disappointed with the big-screen film version of Lerner and Loewe's "Camelot" and in truth is has some serious problems. This version, recorded from the Winter Garden theater's '80's revival, should come as a pleasant surprise to fans of the musical, in that it has clearer storytelling, excellent staging, and a wonderful cast (led by Richard Harris, who may be a bit old at this point to convey Arthur's youthful innocence and enthusiasm for the Camelot code). Missing from this production is the number covering Guinivere's clever and delightfully playful goading of her knights against Sir Lancelot in the joust: a pity, since it was one of the show's highlights. Meg Bussert is a beautiful and engaging Guinivere, and she sings with a power and skill Vanessa Redgrave (star of the film) didn't possess. Despite the stage-bound nature of this presentation, the sets are gorgeous, the performances are first rate, the color lovely, and the score is memorable (though not quite as thrilling as Lerner and Loewe's "My Fair Lady" which may be the duo's most lasting legacy. This version stays true to the innocence and the integrity of the original play, in which Guinivere and Lancelot's affection was noble, not carnal--and it makes a world of difference in the tragic aspects of the finale. Fans usually agree that this version, despite the theatrical feature's opulence and glorious photography, is the one to own, and I can't say I disagree.

Richard Harris is brilliant in this stage production, playing the light comedy at the start delightfully, and absolutely breaking your heart during the tragic ending. He's MUCH better than in the movie, and that was excellent too. Note how drained he seems as the cast are taking their bows after the final curtain - he can hardly raise a smile, such is the intensity of his performance. I never had the privilege of seeing him on stage, and now I never will, but this DVD is an enduring tribute to a fine actor in arguably his greatest role.Arthur is the newly crowned King of Britain and is distinctly uncomfortable with his lot - as well as with his upcoming arranged marriage to Guenevere, a political arrangement to prevent a war. However, when he does meet Guenevere, the chemistry between them is evident and Arthur realises he cannot live without her.Now a happily settled king, he must set about establishing his dream of a utopian kingdom, with justice and fairness for all: might for right instead of might is right. He meets the man who is to become his best friend and champion - Sir Lancelot Du Lac of France. Unfortunately Lance and Jenny (as they are affectionately known to Arthur) will fall in love themselves and this will be exploited by Arthur's illegitimate son Mordred to bring about the death of the King's dream.Richard Harris exceeds the quality of his performance in the movie version, especially in the electrifying final 15 minutes when he seems to BECOME Arthur, such is the intensity of his grief as he bids farewell to his 2 greatest loves and contemplates the return of the hated battles he tried so hard to dispense with forever.If your soul is alive and well, you shouldn't miss out on this wonderful treat.

Great production, my only disappointment was the cutting of the wonderful song 'Then you may take me to the Fair' included in the song list but cut from the DVD.

Speedy delivery and a good quality DVD. If you love My Fair Lady but don't know Camelot - don't hesitate.

This is an excellent recording of the show which I enjoyed more than the film version. There are some parts of the show which have been cut but this did not spoil the continuity of the story.Although the DVD did not play on my DVD Recorder, it did play very successfully on both my computer and personal dvd player.

excellent